Animal-resistant container system

ABSTRACT

An animal-resistant container system includes a first container and a second container. A fastener has a first part attached to the first container and a second part attached to the second container. The fastener tightly attaches the first container to the second container so as to prevent animals from accessing contents of the first container and the second container.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of the following prior filedco-pending provisional application: provisional application number of61/461,507, filed on Jan. 19, 2011, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

People who live, work, and recreate in outdoor wilderness environmentsface the challenge of keeping their personal possessions, especiallyfood, safe from animal disturbance. Animals including bears, raccoons,opossums, coyotes, rodents, and birds are very adept at gaining accessto food, food waste, and fragrant toiletries such as toothpaste, lotion,soap, et cetera. Bears in particular have proven to be one of the mostadept animals at gaining access to these items and have been thestandard by which land and wildlife managers develop policies andcriteria for animal-resistant containers.

Many of these land and wildlife managers have adopted comprehensive bearmanagement practices and have set strict requirements for proper foodstorage and use of waste containers. Of notable mention are YosemiteNational Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Denali National Park.These parks have taken an active role in preventing bears from accessinghuman food in order to protect both bears and humans.

Due to regular bear-human encounters at some national parks, many bearshave become human-habituated, meaning bears have become accustomed tohuman presence and have an increased tolerance of humans. In addition tobecoming human-habituated, bears may also become human food-conditionedthrough the positive reinforcement created by obtaining human foodrewards. Bears that are human food-conditioned may stop searching fortheir natural sources of food, can become unhealthy, are more likely tohave encounters with humans, and may need to be relocated by wildlifemanagers. Bears that are both human-habituated and humanfood-conditioned are more likely to pose a risk to humans. For thisreason, land and wildlife managers may decide to exterminatehuman-habituated human food-conditioned bears that become increasinglybold and aggressive in their attempts to obtain human food. In YosemiteNational Park, bears have been known to rip open car doors in an effortto obtain the food inside.

Oftentimes land and wildlife managers install animal-resistant foodstorage and waste containers at family or car camping areas. Many ofthese animal-resistant containers are referred to as bear-resistantcontainers. Though not solely intended for bears, such animal-resistantcontainers are often designed to withstand the rigors of bear intrusionattempts. The animal-resistant food storage containers provided atfamily or car camping campsites typically consist of large steelcontainers with special latches and are capable of storing large amountsof groceries. To protect food waste against animal intrusion, steeldumpsters with special steel lids are typically used. There are manytypes of animal-resistant containers used at family or car camping areasand the technology for these containers may not require highlysophisticated design solutions or materials due in part to the fact thatheavy duty steel is typically used.

Backpackers and campers have developed alternative food storage methodsin lieu of animal-resistant containers. A well-known alternative methodis to suspend food from a tree. It is often very difficult forbackpackers and campers to properly suspend their food to prevent accessby animals. First, a person must find a mature tree with specificcharacteristics in limb height and strength. The person must also beable to find rocks, which need to be attached to a rope and thrown overa tree limb that is 15-25 feet above the ground depending on the exactmethod used. In rocky, alpine, and high-elevation environments, treesmay not be available or may be unsuitable for this method.

Suspended food must be hung by a rope, away from the tree's trunk, on alimb that is strong enough to support two bags of food, yet weak enoughto not support a bear. The limb must also be high enough above theground so that a bear is unable to reach the hanging food, yet lowenough from the limb so that smaller animals cannot access the food. Inorder for a person to retrieve the food, a rope is often connected tothe food bag and then tied to one tree or in some methods, to anadditional tree hopefully nearby. This method has been known to fail dueto bears simply grabbing or slashing the retrieval ropes. An alternativemethod to retrieval ropes is to counterbalance two roughly equallyweighted bags of food over a tree's limb. This method is typicallyaccomplished by pushing a long downed tree branch or trekking pole up onone of the food bags until the two bags are approximately equidistantfrom the tree's limb.

Another similar method is to utilize a bear pole in areas where land orwildlife managers have provided one. A bear pole permanently fixes tothe ground, allows bags of food to be suspended in a similar fashion tothe tree suspension method, and has similar disadvantages.

The above alternative methods to animal-resistant containers used bybackpackers and campers can be difficult to execute, may be impossibleat a particular location, and can permanently damage trees. For thesereasons, land and wildlife managers may prohibit these methods incertain areas, and instead require that backpackers and campers useapproved animal-resistant food containers.

Several commercially available animal-resistant containers have beendeveloped to resist bear intrusion and meet the needs of backpackers andcampers. These lighter weight containers must resist the considerablestrength, weight, sharp claws, and powerful jaws of bears. Thecontainer's closure must also resist tampering from bears, yet berelatively easy for humans to open. Most of these commercially availableanimal-resistant containers are made with a hard outer shell, and ofthese containers, all are roughly cylindrical in shape and have aclosure at one end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a container system, depicting two containersunattached.

FIG. 1 a is a front view of the container system shown in FIG. 1,depicting the two containers attached together.

FIG. 1 b is an isometric view of the container system shown in FIG. 1,depicting the two containers unattached.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of one container of a container system,showing an internal interlocking mechanism, a cantilevered lockingcomponent, and a mesh drawstring assembly.

FIG. 2 a is an isometric section view of the container shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 b is an isometric view of a ring mechanism.

FIG. 2 c is an isometric view of a container, showing slots that act inconjunction with a cantilevered locking component.

FIG. 3 is a perspective detail view of two container subassemblies and acantilevered locking spring mechanism within a slot.

FIG. 3 a is another perspective detail view of two containersubassemblies and a cantilevered locking spring mechanism within a slot.

FIG. 3 b is another perspective detail view of two containersubassemblies and a cantilevered locking spring mechanism within a slot.

FIG. 3 c is another perspective detail view of two containersubassemblies and a cantilevered locking spring mechanism within a slot.

FIG. 3 d is another perspective detail view of two containersubassemblies and a cantilevered locking spring mechanism within a slot.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of two containers with an optional tubularcenter component, shown assembled.

FIG. 4 a is an isometric view of the two containers shown with optionaltubular center component for increased volumetric capacity, showndisassembled.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view depicting a bowl accessory with a container.

FIG. 5 a is an isometric section view of a bowl accessory nested withina container.

FIG. 6 is a section view showing the interaction between two ringmechanisms prior to initial rotation.

FIG. 6 a is a section view showing the interaction between two ringmechanisms midway through rotation.

FIG. 6 b is a section view showing the interaction between two ringmechanisms after complete rotation.

FIG. 6 c is a section view of an outward-facing interlocking tab.

FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show a container system where a bandis used to fasten two containers.

FIG. 10 shows a container strapped to a backpack.

FIG. 11 show an alternative embodiment of ring mechanisms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An improved container system is designed to be virtually impenetrable toanimals, while retaining a rapid-opening locking mechanism that can beeasily manipulated and disengaged by humans without the need for anexternal tool and/or key.

One embodiment of the container system includes two identical nearsemi-spherical containers, constructed of a lightweight polymer (such aspolycarbonate), each containing an interlocking tab mechanism thatpermits the two containers to be attached while the interlockingmechanism locates the respective positions of the two containers bothaxially and radially. Upon rotation, a tamper-resistant lockingmechanism engages, preventing unintentional anti-rotation and subsequentseparation of the two containers. The rings containing the interlockingmechanism and anti-rotation locking mechanism are attached to the outersemi-sphere. The two containers, when assembled, create a structure thatis able to resist substantial impact forces (axially or radially)without suffering from permanent plastic deformation. If volumetricexpansion is desired, a tubular device, containing an identicalinterlocking mechanism on each end, may be installed between the twosemi-spherical containers. Either or both of the semi-sphericalcontainers may be replaced by a container with a different shape thatretains single or dual openings and compatible interlocking mechanisms.Also, for example, each container may, alternatively, be constructed ofanother lightweight material such as aluminum, fiberglass, carbon fiber,Kevlar composites or some other lightweight material or combination oflight weight materials.

FIG. 1 shows a container system 100 composed of a container 101 and acontainer 102. When assembled, container system 101 is near spherical.What is meant by near spherical is that container 101 and container 102are not perfect half spheres but each include a flat spot which hinderscontainer system 100 from rolling when container system 100 is placed ona flat surface.

Ring mechanisms 201, attached to container 101, and ring mechanism 210,attached to container 102 are used to attach together containers 101 and102. Ring mechanisms 201 and 201 position containers 101 and 102 axiallyalong an axis A-A and radially in a plane perpendicular to the axis A-A.Upon rotation of one container with respect to the other about axis A-A,a tamper-resistant locking mechanism engages thereby preventingunintentional anti-rotation and subsequent separation of containers 101and 102.

Fig. la is a front view of container system 100 shown in FIG. 1,depicting container 101 and container 102 attached together. An area 103designates an area of container system 100 depicted by FIG. 3 and FIGS.3 a through 3 d.

FIG. 1 b is an isometric view of container system 100 depictingcontainer 101 and container 102 unattached.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of container 101. Container 101 is shown toinclude a shell 202. Ring mechanism 201 is bonded to shell 202. Ringmechanism 201 is designed, for example, to interface with an identicalring mechanism on container 102, eliminating the need for dissimilarmale/female interlocking mechanisms. Ring mechanism 201 is bonded toshell 202 by, for example, solvent, adhesive, sonic, spin welding orother means in such a way as to provide strength to the shell 202,particularly under radial load scenarios. Ring mechanism 201 is designedto accommodate slight radial misalignment when connected to an identicalring mechanism, and also is designed to mechanically induce automaticradial and axial alignment of two containers upon assembly.

Container 101, may optionally contain a textile drawstring divider 250that attaches radially to ring mechanism 201. Textile drawstring divider250 may fasten to ring mechanism 201 by mechanical means, such as aconventional plastic tie wrap, utilizing a circular array of holes 612within ring mechanism 201, as shown by FIG. 2 a and FIG. 6 b.

Upon tightening of a drawstring 253 by means of a pull-cord 254,container 101 may be fully inverted without resulting in the escape ofcontents of container 101.

As shown by FIG. 2 a, textile drawstring divider 250 includes fabric251. Fabric 251 is composed of, for example, a conventional textileproduct such as Kevlar, nylon, polyester, cotton, mesh, etc.Alternatively, a divider composed of a semi-rigid or rigid material canbe used to allow container 101 to be inverted without resulting in theescape of contents of container 101. Such a divider could be attached tocontainer 101 by snaps, or some other attachment mechanism and may bedesigned in such a way as to provide an eating surface such as a plateor bowl when detached from container 101.

FIG. 2 b shows additional detail of ring mechanism 201. Ring mechanism201 includes inward facing interlocking tabs 602 and outward facinginterlocking tabs 603. Each of interlocking tabs 602 and 603 contains aleading chamfered edge 601, shown in FIG. 6 c, allowing easierengagement of the interlocking tabs. The radial pattern of interlockingtabs 602 and interlocking tabs 603 allows complementary attachment to anidentical ring mechanism.

To permit clearance of a spring mechanism 203, shown in FIG. 2 a, duringattachment of container 101 to container 102, an interlocking tab 617 isslightly shortened.

Each of interlocking tabs 602 and 603 is composed of a standoff pillar620, shown in FIG. 6, which connects a ring flange 607 to a pillarplatform 609. Upon initial engagement of mating surfaces of each pillarplatform 609, the leading chamfered edge 601 of each pillar platform 609acts as a lead-in to accommodate any initial misalignment, as shown inFIG. 6 and FIG. 6 c.

Each of interlocking tabs 602 and 603 also contains an integrated pillarstop 630 between pillar platform 609 and the ring flange 607, as shownin FIG. 6 b. This acts as a mechanical stop between interlocking tabswhen the two ring mechanisms have become fully engaged.

As shown in FIG. 6 b, each pillar also contains a pillar cutout 613 toallow the usage of single-draw injection molds in production. This isadvantageous because of the reduced mold complexity and correspondinglyreduced mold costs. Ring mechanism 201 also may feature patternedcutouts 614 along the ring flange 607, either to reduce componentweight, or to exist for purely aesthetic reasons.

Ring flange 607 may also contain slots 611, shown in FIG. 2 b, along theinner perimeter. Slots 611 are each sized to permit attachment ofconventional ¾ inch webbing. An attached loop of webbing through theslots 611 can be used as an attachment point to strap container 101 to afixed object, such as the outside of a backpack. This is illustrated inFIG. 10 where webbing 191, placed through one of slots 611, is used tostrap container 101 to a backpack 190. Alternatively, a small diameterrope may be substituted for webbing and to accommodate, ring flange 607may contain holes instead of slots 611.

Spring mechanism 203, shown in FIG. 2 b, is a cantilevered section offlexible material such as metal, plastic, or some type of compositematerial. Spring mechanism 203 is fastened to ring mechanism 201 atholes 606, shown in FIG. 2 b. This is accomplished, for example, byrivets 605, or alternatively a threaded fastener, as shown in FIG. 6 a.

Spring mechanism 203 is arranged to allow rotation of containers 101 and102 in a direction of engagement. When spring mechanism 203 is engaged,it prevents rotation of containers 101 and 102 in a direction ofengagement.

Spring mechanism 203 engages in one of slots 231 of container 102.Locking produced by spring mechanism 203 ensures that bears and otheranimals, including small children, cannot open the container system. Forexample, spring mechanism 203 deflects approximately 0.050 inches uponinitial assembly of containers 101 and 102.

Size and shape of cutout hole 660, shown in FIG. 6, can be selected toadjust deflection characteristics of spring mechanism 203. Uponrotation, spring mechanism 203 springs sequentially into a plateauregion 230 and then into each of two slots 231, as illustrated by FIG. 2c and FIG. 3. To rotate the two containers opposite the direction ofengagement, spring mechanism 203 must be manually deflected by a user toallow clearance of two slots 231 and plateau region 230.

For example, containers 101 and 102 are identical so each contains aspring mechanism that a user must deflect in order to allow rotation inthe direction opposite to the direction of engagement.

FIG. 3 a shows spring mechanism 203 resting in plateau region 230. FIG.3 b, shows spring mechanism 203 resting in the first of slots 231. FIG.3 c shows spring mechanism 203 sliding up a ramp 232 before deflectingto a neutral position in the final locking location, as shown in FIG. 3d. The edge of the slot steps 233 at the edges of slots 231 will preventunintentional rotation and disassembly of container system 100 byproviding a datum surface to obstruct movement of the spring mechanism203.

The spring mechanism 203 shall be mounted to the ring flange 607 in alocation dictated by a spring standoff 610 and the corresponding springmounting holes 604.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an optional tubular component 401 placedbetween container 101 and container 102. Use of optional tubularcomponent 401 allows an increase in overall volume of container system100. For example, ring mechanisms identical to ring mechanisms 201 ateach end of tubular component 401 can be used to attach tubularcomponent 401 to container 401 and 402. Additional tubular components,similar in design to tubular component 401 with ring mechanisms can beconsecutively connected together allowing for versatile expansion ofcontainer system volume. Any additional component that utilizes acompatible interlocking mechanism may be attached to either container101, container 102, or tubular component 401, regardless of overallexternal shape. FIG. 4 a shows a disassembled view of optional tubularcomponent 401, container 101 and container 102.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 5 a shows a bowl accessory 260 being stored withincontainer 101. For example bowl accessory 260 is an eating bowl or anyoptional accessory that match the internal geometry of container 101.The geometry of container 101 allows for a nested eating bowl to take upa relatively insignificant amount of space within container system 100,effectively resulting in a spatial displacement that closelyapproximates that of an increased wall thickness in container 101.

The embodiments previously discussed are exemplary. Various features ofcontainer system 100 can be varied depending upon application, desiredmaterials, desired shape of the assembled container system, and so on.

For example FIG. 7 shows a cutaway view of a container system 700 wherea container 701 and a container 702 are fastened together by a band 704.An inner divider 703 provides support for the fastening achieved by band704.

FIG. 8 shows a cutaway view of container system 700 where container 701and a container 702 are disassembled. As can be seen by the close-upcutaway view provided by FIG. 9, band 704 engages a groove 711 ofcontainer 701 and a groove 721 of container 702. Inner divider 703 holdsgroove 711 of container 701 and groove 721 of container 702 tightlyagainst band 704. For example, inner divider 703 is composed of a rigidmaterial, such as a rigid plastic. One or more optional tubularcomponents may be inserted between container 701 and container 702 toincrease the volume of container system 700.

For example, band 704 is composed of a flexible polymer such aspolycarbonate. Band 704 can be tightened using an over-center latchmechanism or another mechanism that allows tightening of the band. Forexample, band 704 may contain between its circumference, a draw latch orover-center latch that tightens or loosens band 704 and results in aband 704 that either has a smaller diameter or larger diameter when inits closed or open position respectively.

FIG. 8 shows an example tightening device 730 that includes a latch 731.For example, latch 731 is injection molded. A hinge pin 735 connectslatch 731 to band 704. A hinge pin 736 connections latch 731 to innerdivider 703. Latch 731 operates as an over-center closure and optionallycan be assisted by addition of a slight interference detent (not shown),which will snap it into the closed position. Optionally, a secondarymechanism can be included, such as a simple screw or quarter-turnfastener, that will further prevent latch 731 from being accidentallyopened.

Tightening device 730 also includes an end-link 732. For example,end-link 732 is injection molded. A hinge pin 738 connects end-link 732to band 704. A hinge pin 737 connections end-link 732 to inner divider703. End-link 732 allows band to pull further away from container 702,further facilitating separation of container 701 and container 702 frominner divider 703.

FIG. 11 show an alternative embodiment of ring mechanisms. A ringmechanism 800 includes tabs 802 and slots 803. An identical ringmechanism 900 includes tabs 902 and slots 903. To assemble ringmechanism 800 and ring mechanism 900 together, tabs 802 are insertedinto slots 903. Simultaneously, tabs 902 are inserted into slots 803.Then, ring mechanism 800 and ring mechanism 900 are slightly rotatedwith respect to each other to lock mechanism 800 and ring mechanism 900into place.

A detent mechanism 801 is used to align ring mechanism 800 and ringmechanism 900 and to lock ring mechanism 800 and ring mechanism 900 intoplace. When ring mechanism 800 and ring mechanism 900 are broughttogether, detent mechanism 801 is aligned with a slot 905. When ringmechanism 800 and ring mechanism 900 are rotated into a locked position,detent mechanism 801 is aligned with a locking slot 906. Detentmechanism 801 engages locking slot 906, preventing ring mechanism 800and ring mechanism 900 from rotating into a release position until abutton 806 is depressed. Ring mechanism 900 includes a detent mechanism,identical to detent mechanism 801, that interacts with a slot 805 and alocking slot 806 of ring mechanism 800.

While herein, exemplary containers having similar shapes have been shownattached together to form a container system, containers with varyingshapes may be connected together in order to form a container system.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplarymethods and embodiments. As will be understood by those familiar withthe art, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied in other specificforms without departing from the spirit or characteristics thereof.Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, butnot limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. An animal-resistant container system comprising: a first containerhaving shape that is near half spherical; a second container havingshape that is near half spherical; and, a fastener, the fastener havinga first part attached to the first container and a second part attachedto the second container; wherein the fastener tightly attaches the firstcontainer to the second container so as to prevent animals fromaccessing contents of the first container and the second container. 2.An animal-resistant container system as in claim 1: wherein the firstpart of the fastener is a first ring mechanism bonded to the firstcontainer, the first ring mechanism including a first plurality ofinterlocking tabs; wherein the second part of the fastener is a secondring mechanism bonded to the second container, the second ring mechanismincluding a second plurality of interlocking tabs; and, wherein when thefastener tightly attaches the first container to the second container,the first plurality of interlocking tabs engages with the secondplurality of interlocking tabs to fasten the first container to thesecond container.
 3. An animal-resistant container system as in claim 2,additionally comprising: a textile drawstring divider attached to firstring mechanism, the divider holding contents of the first containerwithin in the first container when the first container is inverted. 4.An animal-resistant container system as in claim 2, wherein the firstcontainer includes a first spring mechanism that engages in a slotwithin the second container when the fastener tightly attaches the firstcontainer to the second container, the first spring mechanism, whenengaged, preventing disassembly of the first container from the secondcontainer.
 5. An animal-resistant container system as in claim 4,wherein the second container includes a second spring mechanism thatengages in a slot within the second container when the fastener tightlyattaches the first container to the second container, the second springmechanism, when engaged, also preventing disassembly of the firstcontainer from the second container.
 6. An animal-resistant containersystem as in claim 1 wherein the fastener comprises: a band shaped tooverlap a groove in the first container, to overlap a groove in thesecond container, and when tightened, to fasten the first container tothe second container.
 7. An animal-resistant container system as inclaim 6 additionally comprising: a rigid divider, placed between thefirst container and the second container, the rigid divider holding thegroove of the first container and the groove of the second containeragainst the band when the first container is fastened to the secondcontainer.
 8. An animal-resistant container system as in claim 1additionally comprising: a divider attached to the first container, thedivider holding contents of the first container in the first containerwhen the first container is inverted.
 9. An animal-resistant containersystem as in claim 1 wherein the first container and the secondcontainer are each composed of one of the following materials: aluminum,fiberglass, carbon fiber, and a Kevlar composite.
 10. Ananimal-resistant container system as in claim 1: wherein the firstcontainer has a flat spot which hinders the animal-resistant containersystem from rolling when the animal-resistant container system is placedon a flat surface; and, wherein the second container has a flat spotwhich hinders the animal-resistant container system from rolling whenthe animal-resistant container system is placed on a flat surface. 11.An animal-resistant container system as in claim 1 wherein the firstcontainer has a slot through which webbing is attached to the firstcontainer allowing the first container to be strapped to a backpack. 12.An animal-resistant container system as in claim 1 wherein the firstcontainer and the second container have identical shapes.
 13. Ananimal-resistant container system comprising: a first containerconstructed of a lightweight polymer; a second container constructed ofthe lightweight polymer; and, a fastener, the fastener having a firstpart attached to the first container and a second part attached to thesecond container; wherein the fastener tightly attaches the firstcontainer to the second container so as to prevent animals fromaccessing contents of the first container and the second container. 14.An animal-resistant container system as in claim 13: wherein the firstpart of the fastener is a first ring mechanism bonded to the firstcontainer, the first ring mechanism including a first plurality ofinterlocking tabs; wherein the second part of the fastener is a secondring mechanism bonded to the second container, the second ring mechanismincluding a second plurality of interlocking tabs; and, wherein when thefastener tightly attaches the first container to the second container,the first plurality of interlocking tabs engages with the secondplurality of interlocking tabs to fasten the first container to thesecond container.
 15. An animal-resistant container system as in claim14, additionally comprising: a divider attached to first ring mechanism,the divider holding contents of the first container within in the firstcontainer when the first container is inverted.
 16. An animal-resistantcontainer system as in claim 14, wherein the first container includes afirst spring mechanism that engages in a slot within the secondcontainer when the fastener tightly attaches the first container to thesecond container, the first spring mechanism, when engaged, preventingdisassembly of the first container from the second container.
 17. Ananimal-resistant container system as in claim 13 wherein the fastenercomprises: a band shaped to overlap a groove in the first container, tooverlap a groove in the second container and when tightened to fastenthe first container to the second container.
 18. An animal-resistantcontainer system as in claim 17 additionally comprising: a rigiddivider, placed between the first container and the second container,the rigid divider holding the groove of the first container and thegroove of the second container against the band when the first containeris fastened to the second container.
 19. An animal-resistant containersystem as in claim 13 wherein the first container has a slot throughwhich webbing is attached to the first container allowing the firstcontainer to be strapped to a backpack.
 20. An animal-resistantcontainer system as in claim 13 wherein the first container and thesecond container have identical shapes.